The dust of the 2021/22 Premier League season has not yet settled but already clubs will be casting an eye forwards to next term.
Planning will no doubt be kicking off already and with the transfer window set to open, some could potentially be busy adding fresh faces to their squads. Man City will head into the 2022/23 campaign as the defending champions although there will no doubt be challengers to their crown.
At the other end of the table, clubs will certainly be scrambling to steer themselves clear of the relegation zone and of course secure the huge payday that Premier League football rewards.
With plenty to play for, Mirror Sport has taken a look at what each club’s first major job in the upcoming window could be.
Arsenal
The Gunners’ biggest deficiency this season has certainly been their inability to regularly put the ball in the net. Mikel Arteta’s men only scored 61 goals this term – the lowest of the top five – and are set to have extremely limited options next season.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah look likely to walk away this summer, leaving a huge vacancy in the Gunners’ squad. Jonathan David could potentially be an option, the Lille striker having enjoyed another impressive season.
Meanwhile, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin has regularly been linked with a switch to the Emirates.
Aston Villa
Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa have already conducted some swift business ahead of the summer window having signed Philippe Coutinho on a permanent deal, while Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara has also been tempted to the Midlands.
There is a distinct gap at centre-back though, with the long-term injury suffered by Ezri Konsa complicating their plans. James Tarkowski might be an attractive option, the Burnley captain out of contract at the end of the season.
Chelsea’s loan star Levi Colwill could be another option explored by Villa ahead of the window.
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How many signings should your club make this summer? Have your say in the comments below.
Brentford
The Bees did extraordinarily well to secure a 13th-place finish in the Premier League in the first campaign back in the top flight but they need some strengthening if they are to stave off the threat of second-season syndrome.
The biggest gap in their squad is at right-back. Fourteen-time England international Nathaniel Clyne could be a shrewd addition after his Crystal Palace farewell. Should Thomas Frank aim to take advantage of his Danish connections once more, he could look to bring in Red Bull Salzburg’s Rasmus Kristensen.
Brighton
As has been Brighton’s problem once more this season, they have failed to find the net with regularity. Neal Maupay and Danny Welbeck have chipped in this term but neither looks to be a viable long-term option for the Seagulls.
An addition of a quality number nine could see the Sussex side jump even further up the table next term. Teemu Pukki could potentially be worth a punt should he decide to leave relegated Norwich City, while Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah has been linked with a move to the AMEX Stadium on a number of occasions and would be available on a free.
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Bournemouth
Scott Parker’s men still have a number of the players that they had during their last Premier League stint including Philip Billing, Jefferson Lerma and Lewis Cook but they will almost certainly be looking for additions at centre-back. Former Chelsea man Gary Cahill is set to leave at the end of the season, while Nathaniel Phillips will return to Liverpool after his loan spell.
The Cherries could attempt to bring him back to the Vitality Stadium for a second spell, while Chelsea’s Ethan Ampadu might be a positive addition should he be sent out for another loan spell by the Blues.
Chelsea
While one of their young centre-backs could be on the move once more, Chelsea are also keen to recruit a defender. Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are set to leave, and there is also doubt over the long-term future of Cesar Azpilicueta.
Names such as Jules Kounde, Pau Torres and Caglar Soyuncu have all been linked with a summer switch to Stamford Bridge. However, any move from the Blues depends on the progress of a takeover.
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Crystal Palace
The Eagles are set to lose the services of Player of the Season Conor Gallagher this summer, with the youngster returning to Chelsea. The 22-year-old has scored eight goals and provided five assists this term and will leave a huge gap at Selhurst Park.
Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure has already been linked with a switch to the Premier League, while Huddersfield starlet Lewis O’Brien might be a viable addition should the Terriers fail to earn promotion through the Championship playoffs.
Everton
Having conceded 66 goals this season, only Leeds, Southampton, Watford and Norwich had a worse defence than Everton throughout the current campaign. While they have a number of options at centre-back, not many can be relied on.
Yerry Mina has been habitually injured over the past couple of campaigns, while Jarrad Branthwaite is slightly too inexperienced to be first-choice. The Toffees are among a clutch of clubs apparently in for Tarkowski this summer.
Elsewhere, AC Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli and Nottingham Forest’s Joe Worrall are among those to have been mentioned.
Fulham
Upon their return to the Premier League, Fulham are set to be significantly weaker at the top end of the pitch with Fabio Carvalho having already had his move to Liverpool rubber-stamped.
Harry Wilson is of course a talented option for the right-flank but the west London outfit need more strength in wide positions. Shakhtar Donetsk’s Manor Solomon has long been linked with a move to Craven Cottage but that deal now appears to be in doubt.
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Leeds
Jesse Marsch already appears to be edging close to Leeds’ first summer addition with a swoop for Red Bull Salzburg star Brenden Aaronson, having seen two bids rejected for him during the January transfer window.
Another former target Nahitan Nandez could be another option that is explored and with just two years remaining on his contract with his current club Cagliari, a deal might be less expensive than first thought.
Leicester
Ever since the departure of Riyad Mahrez in 2018, the Foxes have not quite managed to find a suitable replacement. Ademola Lookman has enjoyed a positive season in the East Midlands on loan from RB Leipzig but is far more suited to the left.
PSV Eindhoven star Noni Madueke is a player that would fit the side extremely well, although it is likely that the Dutch side would demand a premium for his services. Elsewhere, Adnan Januzaj could be a surprise consideration following his departure from Real Sociedad.
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Liverpool
While Liverpool are certainly not short of goals, they could potentially head into next season with just one senior striker in the form of Roberto Firmino. Divock Origi is set to leave Anfield at the end of his contract.
Benfica goal machine Darwin Nunez would be a huge investment from the Reds following his stunning season in the Portuguese top-flight having already been linked with a switch to Merseyside. Getafe striker Enes Unal would be a far cheaper option.
Man City
It is tricky to see where City would improve considering that they have just claimed the title with a 93-point haul. They have of course already plugged the most glaring gap up-front with the acquisition of Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland.
Should one be overly critical then left-back could do with some bolstering despite Oleksandr Zinchenko’s positive form this season. Valencia star Jose Gaya is out of contract next summer and would be an excellent addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Elsewhere, Theo Hernandez could potentially be an ambitious option after playing a key role in AC Milan’s recent title success.
Man Utd
It goes without saying that there is plenty of surgery for incoming Red Devils’ boss Erik ten Hag to do on his current squad. With the anticipated exits of both Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, midfield is a position that needs some desperate strengthening.
Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong has of course been linked with a switch to Old Trafford, although it remains to be seen whether the Dutchman would be open to leaving Spain. Leicester playmaker Tielemans could also be an option but there is likely to be competition from elsewhere in the Premier League.
Newcastle
Despite having welcomed Chris Wood to St James’ Park in the January transfer window, the New Zealand forward has not quite had the desired impact. He scored just two goals in five months and the Magpies will likely want to strengthen further.
Reims wonderkid Hugo Ekitike continues to be linked with a summer switch while former transfer target Duvan Zapata could be back on Eddie Howe’s shopping list in the upcoming window.
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Southampton
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men endured a really poor end to the current campaign and scored just 43 goals in the league. Armando Broja is set to return to Chelsea this summer, while Shane Long will also wave goodbye to St Mary’s.
It has been suggested that Angers’ £20m-rated forward Mohamed-Ali Cho could be an option, whilst another name that was mentioned in the past was Blackburn Rovers’ Ben Brereton-Diaz.
Tottenham
Having seemingly struck gold with the arrival of Cristian Romero last summer, Spurs will be aiming to repeat that trick once more this year. They need to find a suitable partner for the Argentine, with Eric Dier and Ben Davies having been regularly selected by Antonio Conte.
Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij might be set for a reunion with his former manager in north London should Spurs make an effort for his services. Lille star Sven Botman is also a name that has been mentioned and it is widely expected that the Dutchman will leave the Ligue 1 club this summer.
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West Ham
The Hammers’ push for a top-four place eventually ran out of steam this season and that was likely down to their lack of depth in attack. Michail Antonio scored just three Premier League goals in 2022 and needs some genuine competition at the London Stadium.
David Moyes is keen on Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis after the Hornets were relegated from the Premier League. According to reports in Italy, West Ham have contacted the representatives of Moise Kean although it remains to be seen whether that interest goes any further.
Wolves
After Wolves’ European challenge faltered this summer, it is clear that there will be a refresh at Molineux. Joao Moutinho sees his contract expire, while Ruben Neves has an uncertain future.
Benfica utility man Andre Almeida could be drafted in this summer, albeit is more suited to playing at right-back. Wolves could, however, look to another Portuguese option in the form of Sporting’s Palhinha.
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Nottingham Forest/Huddersfield
It of course remains to be seen which of the duo will be playing in the Premier League next season. The pair are set to meet at Wembley for the Championship play-off final.
Should Forest secure promotion then a striker will likely be at the top of their shopping list. Elsewhere, Huddersfield could do with far more strength in depth in wide positions should they return to the top-flight for the first time since the 2018/19 season.
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